Service Customized CSM for Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face limitations in customer service management, particularly in providing differentiated Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) levels, and charging scenarios, which restrict the ability to offer new services and service levels, necessitating a more advanced approach to enhance user experience and network capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for Customer Service Management (CSM) that includes a controller, a virtual network, a dynamic charging evaluator, a device traffic controller, and a network traffic filter, which receive reports on QoS and QoE information, compare them with policies, and adjust network settings to enforce policies, evaluate charging states, and generate service-based charges, allowing for customizable QoS and QoE management and charging based on service usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional per-device CSM approaches are used, then device management is simplified, but service differentiation and QoS customization are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice differentiation capabilityVSAvoidCSM system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments CSM into multiple hierarchical levels: network-level CSM for global policy management, domain-level CSM for specific service domains, and device-level CSM for local execution. This segmentation enables service differentiation at each level while distributing system complexity across multiple manageable components rather than concentrating all functionality in a single complex system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by adding domain-level CSM between network and device levels, creating a multi-dimensional CSM architecture. This additional dimension enables fine-grained service differentiation and QoS customization without requiring complete redesign of the entire CSM system, thus managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If limited charging scenarios are supported, then network operation is simpler, but new service models and QoS-based charging are not available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging scenario flexibilityVSAvoidcharging management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charging evaluation that adapts charging parameters in real-time based on actual QoS metrics, service type, and network conditions. The charging system transitions from static, pre-defined rates to dynamic, context-aware pricing, enabling diverse charging scenarios (pay-per-QoS, subscription-based, usage-based) while using automated evaluation algorithms to manage the complexity of multiple charging models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables flexible charging by allowing dynamic modification of charging parameters such as rate, threshold, and pricing model based on service requirements and QoS levels. Different service types can have different parameter sets, enabling pay-per-QoS, flat-rate, or usage-based charging without requiring separate systems for each model, thus managing complexity through parameterization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If per-bit charging is used, then charging implementation is straightforward, but QoS-based differential charging is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS-based charging capabilityVSAvoidcharging evaluation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where QoS metrics (bandwidth, latency, jitter) are continuously monitored and fed back to the charging evaluation function. This feedback enables the system to adjust charging rates based on actual QoS delivery, supporting differential charging where higher QoS levels command higher prices. The automated feedback loop manages the complexity of QoS-based charging by using real-time data rather than complex pre-calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If new services and service levels are enabled, then QoE for users improves, but conventional CSM and charging limitations prevent availability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoE guaranteeVSAvoidservice level flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing QoS policies and charging parameters before services are deployed. The multi-level CSM architecture pre-configures QoS guarantees and charging rules for new services, ensuring QoE requirements are met from service inception. This preliminary configuration enables new services to be offered with guaranteed QoE without requiring complex real-time negotiations, thus improving reliability while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3295637B1Method and apparatus for customer service management for a wireless communication network
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3295637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3295637B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3295637B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for providing Customer Service Management (CSM) a communication network, such as a 5G wireless communication network. The communication network provides at least one service involving one or more terminals serviced by the communication network. A CSM function is defined which is based upon said at least one service and customized to said at least one service, to provide service-customized CSM. CSM may provide service-based charging/billing, service-based context management, service-customized QoE control, service-customized network topology.